When any breeze blows in from the west, it runs into the hill behind my house. The moving air follows the slope of the hill upward creating an updraft for the birds to ride. Watching them search for, find, and ride these currents is fascinating.
Buzzards are capable of riding air current for hours, never flapping their wings, but extending them. The have feathers on the tips of their wings that act similar to fingers, and they adjust these feathers to bank and turn, chasing every last bit of updraft they can capture under their outstretched wings.
They swing out over the house, bank and turn back for the face of the hill, Sometimes if they are low enough to the ground, they will even use the upwelling for air hitting the garage roof.
But they never use that one very long, for the intent is to climb the surface of the hill to the top, which is roughly 1,600 feet higher than the house. They may swing over the house a couple of times, but then return near the face of the hill and ride a gust blowing along the slope. I've seen them nearly drag their wings on the grass, they get so close, trying to catch every bit of rise available.
One morning, I saw a buzzard fly with inches of the garage. Knowing there was a good breeze blowing, this bird would be climbing very quickly. Even though the bird was at least 1,600 feet below the top of the hill, I called to my wife, Sharon, to hurry out and watch how quickly it would climb the hill to the top. There were other buzzards soaring above the top, and I assumed this one wanted to join the others.
Busy with something, Sharon came to the back door within a minute. By the time she walked out to join me the buzzard was disappearing behind the top of the hill. This big black scavenger had gained over 1,600 feet in a minute of swinging back and forth across the face of the hill, rising the air currents.
2 comments:
Lovely description of your buzzards soaring. We used to have a flock (about 15-30) that visited our grove of ancient Eucalyptus trees along our back lot in Northeast Bakersfield once a year. They would roost up in the branches and sometimes toddle along our driveway--they stood more than three feet high! Amazing birds!
Thanks Carla. Yes, they are rather amazing birds. Thanks so much for your comment.
Post a Comment